Beshalach Videos

In honor of the miracles that G-d performed when taking the Jews out of Egypt, Jono and G-fish sing a song of praise, using the timeless Jewish folk tradition of Rap Music

It’s best to walk away from a fight. Except when the enemy threatens one’s holiest possession. (Parsha Perks | Beshalach | with Dr Michael Chighel)

When you feel like you’re being hunted down by troubles in life, by “enemies,” is G-d simply the One you turn to in the hopes of gaining a divine ally to defeat your enemies? Or are your troubles themselves somehow on your side too?

Even after overcoming a challenge, how can we free ourselves from the fear or trauma of our past?

At the dawn of the exodus, our ancestors stood at the banks of the Red Sea, suddenly trapped between its raging waters and the advancing Egyptian forces behind them. What did they do?

Topics include: Why it took forty years to complete an eleven-day journey, the spiritual symbolism of the splitting of the sea, and the power of song to preserve the emotional power of a moment.

When you face a difficult situation you can’t control, how do you respond? The Jews dilemma at the Red Sea offers direction.

Only after a week of eating the manna in the desert did the Jewish people give it a name. Why did they wait that long? In answering this question, this class will explain the deeper connection between manna and the Sabbath, inasmuch that the Jewish people were first introduced to the observance of Shabbat in relation to the way in which they were to partake of the manna. (Likutei Sichos vol. 31)

Manna, the bread from heaven consumed by the Jewish people for forty years in the wilderness, is superior to regular bread in three specific ways. These three qualities may also be compared to the qualities of Shabbat, the day of rest. (Based on Likkutei Sichos vol. 16.)

Saturday night, after Shabbat ends, we eat a special meal called "Melave Malka" (lit. "bidding farewell to the Queen.") What are the sources in Scripture and Talmud for this custom? What are its deeper meanings?

A double portion of manna would fall from heaven on Fridays. We discuss the mitzvah of the “double Shabbos loaves” (lechem mishneh) and other customs of the Shabbat meal.

Shortly after leaving Egypt, the children of Israel found themselves in an impossible situation, stuck between the sea in front of them and the Egyptian army chasing them from behind. The proper response contains a powerful lesson in surmounting seemingly impossible challenges.

Not long after leaving Egypt, the Jewish people found themselves trapped between the Red Sea and the Egyptians chasing behind them. At that time, our people were divided into four factions as to what should be the appropriate reaction.

After fighting a war with the nation of Amalek, Moses says (Exodus 17:16) “There is a hand on the throne of G-d [swearing] that there shall be a war of G-d against Amalek from generation to generation.” In this verse, G-d's four-letter name is missing the letters vav and hei. What is the connection between the completion of G-d's name and the defeat of Amalek?

After the miracle of the splitting of the sea, the entire Jewish people broke out into song. Moses led the men and Miriam led the women. What does this story teach us about separation of genders in Jewish tradition?

Study some of the highlights of the weekly Torah portion with insights from various commentaries.

The parsha of Beshalach contains 116 verses and the mnemonic for are words ‘yad emunah’ (hand of faith) and ‘sneh’ (thorn bush). Explore the coded message in the mnemonic and its connection to the general themes of the Parshah.

What exactly was the heavenly food called manna, and what does it represent? Discover its meaning and relevance for us living in the 21st century.

Discover the fascinating story of what actually took place when the Sea of Reeds miraculously split open.

No sooner had the Jews left Egypt, Amalek attacked us. Rashi offers a fascinating insight into G-d’s eternal war on this rogue nation, plus a powerful personal take-home lesson.

Inspiration alone is insufficient. An awakening must be followed by action, or doubt can easily neutralize it.

After succeeding in tasting personal freedom, we often slip back into our fears, traumas and self-limiting beliefs. To move forward, we need to get in touch with our deepest core.

A taste of Shazak Parsha, where the weekly Torah portion comes alive! Geared for kids... Great for adults!

Two essential lessons from the Exodus for every Jew: Pharaoh, the mightiest king in the world, ruthlessly oppressed the Jewish People. Yet his behavior completely reversed, and, instead of afflicting the Jews, “Pharaoh sent the people away...”. Then the Torah relates: “G-d did not lead the Jews through the Land of the Philistines… lest they see war, reconsider, and return to Egypt.” G-d does not command us to follow a path in which we cannot succeed. “G-d prepares the steps of man” – when G-d leads a person to a certain place, and, through the teachings of the Torah, gives him a mission to accomplish, this, itself, proves that he has all the capabilities he needs to succeed.

The Torah portion of Beshalach contains both the song of Moses, as well as the song of Miriam. The chosen Haftarah, however, which discusses the Song of Deborah, is chosen specifically in connection to the Song of Miriam.

The Israelites were exiled in Egypt and forced to engage in slave labor, yet, when their redemption finally came, there were some who didn’t want to leave exile! Life became easy as soon as the slave-labor ceased, so they began complaining, “Why do we need to search for Torah and Judaism in the desert, and follow a wild individual like Moses? We have a competent king, culture and wisdom – let’s remain. But G-d sent a warning through Moses, that Pharaoh will “banish them from his land.” A Jew isn’t given a choice in the matter.

Why do placebos work? It is because people are gullible, or because something deeper is at play? Believing we are being healed can change us physically. Our thoughts and attitudes are powerful. Learn how to better shape and mold your reality.

A powerful insight into when it’s appropriate to simply trust in G-d.

What makes a shirah (a song) holy? Understanding the Song at the Sea that Moses and the Children of Israel sang after the miracle of the Splitting of the Sea (From Likkutei Sichos - Beshalach).

The Torah portion of Beshalach hints to the idea that one may not cook food on a Jewish holiday that will be eaten on Shabbat unless one first makes an "eruv tavshilin." What is an eruv tavshilin and how does it connect to the idea of Jewish love and unity?

We are commended to remember how the nation of Amalek attacked our people following the Exodus. What is the spiritual meaning behind this mitzvah?

Upon leaving Egypt, Moses takes the remains of Joseph as they journey through the desert. Why did Moses himself have to get involved in removing it from Egypt? Discover the incredible details of how the coffin was retrieved, and subsequently transported miraculously across the desert. Learn how Joseph’s bones were actually an embodiment of life, rather than death.

When the Jews complain about the food in the desert, the Torah records two responses by Moshe and Aharon. Rashi sees in this a lesson in how to address appropriate and inappropriate expectations (and gives us a glimpse into the relevance of studying Jewish mysticism).

The Rebbes of Chabad usually wouldn’t wash for bread (challah) for Seudah Shlishit, the third meal on Shabbos. Explore the mystical reason behind this seemingly lenient practice of eating lesser foods, and how it fits with halachah.

This sicha is a Siyum on tractate Eruvin.

How do you explain Rashi's suggestion that even a good Egyptian deserves to be killed?

Two similar commentaries of Rashi in the narrative of the Jews complaining for food, indicates how there are two different elements at work. Learn and discover when complaining against G-d is an act of faith.

The teaching of Shabbos in the Manna narrative signifies a commonality. Learn a revolutionary perspective on how a Jewish person should approach earning a living.

Two perspectives on what an Eruv Tavshillin achieves, which is a means to allow cooking on Yom Tov for Shabbos, teaching us two stages of personal spiritual growth.

Should Chabadniks eat Seudah Shelishis, the third meal on Shabbos? Decoding the mystical paradox of that meal.

In the battle against Amalek, as Moshe’s hands were raised, his arms became heavy. Understanding how Moshe erred, teaches us to act with urgency when a Jew is at risk.

chp. 13 verses 17 - 21: Introduction,Pharaoh sends the Jews out of Egypt. Hashem does not take them through the land of the Philistines, He was concerned that if they would be confronted with battle they would return to Egypt. He leads them by way of the wilderness by the Red Sea. They leave Egypt armed. Moshe takes the bones of Yosef with him to fulfill the oath that children of Israel took, that when they would be redeemed that they should take his remains with them. They encamped in Etham in the edge of the wilderness. Hashem went before them as a pillar of cloud during the day and a pillar of fire at night so that they could travel day and night.

Chp. 14 verses 11 - 29: The people begin to complain to Moshe afraid that the Egyptians would kill them. Moshe assures them that this would be the last time they would see the Egyptians, and that Hashem would battle for them. Hashem tells Moshe to stretch forth his hand and split the sea and the B'nai Yisrael should enter the sea on dry land. All of this so that Hashem would be honored through the drowning of Pharaoh and his army. That night there was light for the Jews and darkness for the Egyptians. The east wind blew all night and in the morning Moshe stretched forth his hand and the sea split. The nation entered the sea which was dry land with a wall of water on their right and left.

Chp. 14 verses 30 & 31 Chp. 15 verses 1 - 3: Hashem saved Israel on that day from the hand of the Egyptians and thet saw them dead on the sea shore. The people feared G-d and they believed in Hashem and Moshe His servant. Chp. 15, introduction to the "Shirah." How did they sing the song? The song is a proof of the "Revival of the dead." The horse and the rider He threw into the sea as one with ease. Hashem is our strength and our salvation. He is my G-d and I will glorify Him the G-d of our father's and I will exalt Him. He came to the sea in His guise of a man of war, the L-rd is His name.

Chp. 16 verses 27 -36 Chp. 17 verses 1 - 6: Even though they were commanded not to, some of the people went out on the seventh day to collect the Mann and there was none. Hashem rebukes Moshe for their action. They name the food from heaven Mann. Hashem commands Moshe to tell Aaron to place an omer of Mann in an earthenware container and place it with the Ark forever. The people ate the Mann for forty years until they reached the border of the land of Cannan. Chp. 17 begins with the people complaining to Moshe about a lack of water.

Chp. 17 verses 7 -16: The place that they complained about water was called Massah and Meribah. Then Amalek comes and attacks Israel in Rephidim. Moshe tells Yehoshua to chose men to war with them. Moshe goes up to the top of the hill with the staff in his hand, Aaron and Chur are with him. When he lifts his hands Israel prevails and when he drops them Amalek prevails. He sits on a rock with Aaron and Chur supporting his hands. Yehoshua defeats Amalek. Hashem commands Moshe to write in the Torah that He would Utterly wipe out the memory of Amalek from under the heavens. Moshe builds an alter and calls it Adonai-nissi. He said that Hashem will war with Amalek from generation to generation..

This first class in the series introduces the historical context in which Miriam lived—the oppressive and bitter conditions of the Jewish people’s slavery in Egypt.

How Miriam as a five-year-old girl already displayed immense bravery by defying the wicked Pharaoh’s order to help kill the newborn Israelite males.

We learn how Miriam—whose name means both “bitterness” and “rebellion”—did not respond passively to the bitterness of her people’s plight, but instead rallied the women of her generation to have faith that freedom would soon come.

How Miriam overcame darkness and found the power to be joyful, as well as to bring joy to others.

In this final class of the series, we learn about the powerful symbolism of the “Well of Miriam”—a lifegiving spring of water that followed the Jewish people in the wilderness in the merit of Miriam.

A connection between the Rebbe's inaugural address "Basi LeGani" and this week's Torah portion which speaks about the manna from heaven. Presenter: Rabbi Eli Touger

Learning Likutei Sichos vol.11 parshas Beshalach (p.63) for an analysis on the conclusion of tractate Eruvin and specifically about carrying beyond the Techum.